Elton John - Flintstone Boy (1979)

Following his decision to add previously unreleased songs to the b-sides of his singles around 1973, Elton seemed to take to the idea and continued to do so throughout the years from 1974 to 1979, even going so far as to release the 'Ego' single in 1978, where even the A-side wasn't from the then current album. He had done this a couple of other times previously, with 'Philadelphia Freedom' and 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds', but 'Ego' always seems to be overlooked on the 'Best Of...' compilations, so I'm including it here, along with its b-side, as I think it's a great little song. In 1974 the two songs from the 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' and 'The Bitch Is Back' singles were coupled together for a French 7" release, and in 1977 he recorded the limited edition charity single 'The Goaldiggers Song', which was to raise money to provide playing fields in under-privileged areas. This single never charted anywhere, as only 500 copies were pressed, approximately half of which were signed by Elton, and it was available by mail-order only. The song was composed and performed solely by Elton, featuring only piano and multi-tracked vocals, and the b-side was a conversation between  Elton and a number of other British celebrities, including Jimmy Hill and Eric Morecombe. Once the single was pressed the tapes were destroyed, so no other official copies of the recording exist. By adding in a couple more late 70's b-sides, plus the unreleased 'Planes' from 1975, this makes up a nice 40 minute album of rare Elton songs from the half decade from 1974 onward. 

Track listing

01 Sick City (b-side of 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' 1974)
02 Cold Highway (b-side of 'The Bitch Is Back' 1974)
03 Sugar On The Floor (b-side of 'Island Girl' 1975)
04 House Of Cards (b-side of 'Someone Save My Life Last Night' 1975)
05 Planes (previously unreleased 1975)
06 The Goaldiggers Song (charity single 1977)  
07 I Cry At Night (b-side of 'Part Time Love' 1978)
08 Ego (single 1978)
09 Flintstone Boy (b-side of 'Ego')
10 Lovesick (b-side of 'Song For Guy' 1978)
11 Strangers (b-side of 'Victim Of Love' 1979)